Born: 1871, in Scotland
Died: August 1940
Married: Matte J. Dwy
Children: James J. Eccles
James Eccles was a guide and taxidermist who owned a hotel in Madawaska. He was appointed Game Protector for the Madawaska area in 1895.
Tupper Lake Herald, November 24, 1911
"JIMMY ECCLES OF CAMP Madawaska took a party of sportsmen into the wilds of Quebec on a successful hunting trip during which they shot three moose, and all kinds of other game. Their return trip was marked by great danger and hardship, however, as they waited too long to break camp, and were caught in the freeze-up. The lakes were coated with ice, not sufficiently strong enough to hold their canoes, and they were compelled to push the frail canoes, the ice frequently breaking or sinking under them. At last open water was reached and the fatigued party could paddle to safety."
Adirondack News, October 20, 1917
Man Drowned at Madawaska.
Arthur Krisco, of New York, lost his life at Madawaska Pond about six o'clock Thursday evening.
James Eccles. proprietor of the Madawaska hotel. Henry Krisco and his son Arthur Krisco, of New York, were out on the pond in Mr. Eccles' motor boat some distance from shore when the boat commenced to leak. At the point where they were the water is only a few feet deep but the mud is of an unknown depth. The party fired their guns and tried to attract attention from the hotel but without avail and the younger man, Arthur Krisco, attempted to swim to shore for help, and that was the last seen of him.
Eccles and the elder Krisco stuck to the boat which sank deeper and deeper. After being In the water for an hour a party from the hotel rescued them in an exhausted condition. Dr. W. A. Wardner from this village was called and went to Madawaska on the evening train to attend them.
Searching parties are endeavoring to locate the body of the unfortunate man. The deceased was about 28 years old and has a wife and daughter In New York.
Tupper Lake Herald, August 6, 1920
MADAWASKA HOTEL BURNED
The large hotel owned by James Eccles find located at Madawaska, well known as a resort for hunters and fishermen, was destroyed by fire about noon Tuesday, July 23d. All the buildings connected with the place excepting the guide house, barns and a small building used as a postoffice, were burned.
Tupper Lake Free Press, February 22, 1934
AT Madawaska there was a famous summer resort hotel for fishing and hunting parties. The hotel was owned by the late Warren Joseph Alfred and managed by James Eccles.
In the early years of this century one of the most popular annual events was Joe Alfred's clambake which he gave each August as soon as green corn could be added to the clams, chicken, yams and other delicacies. A special train was always chartered for the occasion, usually in charge of the late James Lyons, pioneer conductor.
Tupper Lake Free Press, January 23, 1936
Madawaska, once a popular hotel resort center for tourists and nimrods or 30 or 35 years ago, owned by Joseph Warren Alfred of St. Regis Falls and Tupper Lake, and managed by James Eccles, is now little more than a remembrance.
Tupper Lake Free Press and Herald, August 8, 1940
‘Jim’ Eccles, Veteran Madawaska Guide, Dies Sunday
James Eccles, 71, veteran Adirondack guide and sportsman, passed away at the Alice Hyde Hospital Sunday evening at 7:10.
Born in Scotland, he was the son of the late James and Mary Brown Eccles. His father died in Scotland and Mr. Eccles, with his mother, one sister, and three brothers, came to this country, when be was about six years of age. He had spent the remainder of his life in the vicinity of St. Regis Falls and Madawaska, where he maintained a hunting lodge, with the exception of three years in the West. "Jimmy" Eccles was well known here and many a Tupper man visited, his Madawaska lodge in bygone years.
He married Matte J. Dwy of St. Regis Falls, May 2, 1889, at Brushton. She survives, with one son, James J. of Albany; one sister. Mrs George Lydamore, Raymondville, and one brother, John Eccles, who resides in the State of Wyoming.
Mr. Eccles was known and well liked by sportsmen throughout the state. He was an ardent lover of nature and was happiest when in the great outdoors, where he spent the largest portion of his life. Conservation of wild life was one of his deepest interests and he was frequently consulted by conservation department officials of Albany, when legislation affecting in the Adirondacks was proposed. Funeral services were held yesterday at St Regis Falls and burial was in Forest Hill Cemetery there.
